Auburn redshirt freshman Jakell Mitchell shot and killed

Chris Littmann

Auburn redshirt freshman Jakell Mitchell shot and killed image

Auburn redshirt freshman tight end Jakell Mitchell was killed in a shooting early Sunday, according to multiple reports.

A 22-year-old Alabama man was arrested Sunday afternoon in connection to the shooting. Police said Markale Deandra Hart, 22, of Camp Hill, Ala., was jailed on a murder charge.

The shooting took place at an apartment complex near Auburn's campus, according to AL.com. Police responded to a call for the shooting at 12:25 a.m. ET at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex.

Mitchell, 18, was taken to an area hospital with multiple gunshot wounds, but died after arriving at the emergency room. His identity was confirmed by a coroner.

Mitchell's death was treated as a homicide. An autopsy will be performed on Monday.

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"The thoughts and prayers of all of us at Auburn University are with his family during this difficult time," university spokesman Mike Clardy said.

The shooting took place at the same complex where three people were killed, including two former Auburn players , in a 2012 shooting.

Mitchell's high school coach, Brian Blackmon, commented to the Opelika-Auburn News : "This is a sad day. It's terrible — terrible."

Police were seeking suspects.

Auburn players joined the flow of grief being expression on social media.

"Lord, please be with Jakell (Mitchell's) family, he didn't deserve the tragedy," Auburn guard Devonte Danzey said. "Just too young and too much going for himself."

Other sentiments were expressed from colleges across the country and from NFL players, according to Al.com.

Mitchell was three-star recruit coming out of high school after missing his senior season with a torn knee ligament, according to the Opelika-Auburn News . He was 6-4, 210 pounds, according to Auburn, and was spending his first year in school improving his knee strength and bulk.

That season, Mitchell had 17 rushing touchdowns, more than 400 yards as a receiver, threw a touchdown pass and had 15 tackles on defense, according to AL.com .

He signed with Auburn in February. He likely would have accompanied the football team to Jan. 1's Outback Bowl.

Desmonte Leonard was convicted of capital murder in the 2012 shootings, according to Al.com. His victims were DeMario Pitts  and former Auburn football players Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips. Leonard will be sentenced in January.

Chris Littmann